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If you want to try local, single-origin, shade-grown coffee, this micro-roastery and café is the place to do it. Owners Pablo Muñoz and Mariana Suárez grow their beans in the mountains of Yauco on a hacienda that has been in the Muñoz family since 1846. The wooden planks lining the banquette are from coffee storage pallets, and red accents recall perfectly ripe coffee beans. Cuatro sombras (four shades) refers to the four types of trees traditionally used in Puerto Rico to provide shade for coffee plants. And although it's the delicious, medium-bodied brew that steals the show, there's also a small menu of tasty pastries and sandwiches.
259 Calle Recinto Sur, 00901, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Locally grown coffee
- Pastries and sandwiches
- Coffee tastings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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The Cortés family has been making bean-to-bar chocolate for more than 90 years, and, in 2013, they opened Puerto Rico's first "chocobar" to share their passion. The walls in this vivid, modern space are decorated with ads from the 1950s, original chocolate-bar molds, a timeline of chocolate, and two flat screens showing the chocolate-making process. From pastries and breakfast sandwiches to panini and tapas, the chef integrates chocolate into every bite without overpowering. Bonbons, chocolate bars, and even chocolate soaps are available for sale. People from all over the metro area flock here for weekend brunch; arrive early to avoid a long wait. An upstairs gallery offers a glimpse of the family's personal collection of contemporary Caribbean art.
210 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Chocolate incorporated into many dishes
- Breakfast specialties and pastries
- Locally made chocolates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner weekdays
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This family-run restaurant in the heart of residential Miramar is known for its traditional comida criolla. It feels more like a home than a restaurant, so it's a great place to just sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal. The menu, written on a chalkboard, changes often and features local fruits, vegetables, and seasonal fish. Favorite dishes include aguacate relleno con salmorejo de jueyes (crab-stuffed avocado) and chillo fresco with mojo isleño (red snapper with a sauce of tomatoes, olives, and green peppers). The old photos of Miramar, vintage furniture, and colonial architecture will surely transport you back in time.
605 Av. Miramar, 00907, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Excellent, friendly service
- Old-fashioned dishes like crab-stuffed avocado
- Great drinks and sangria
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations recommended
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There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than an ice pop from Señor Paleta. All the ingredients used to make these artisanal paletas are fresh, and many use local fruits. Choose from strawberry mojito, watermelon, coconut, dulce de leche, and more. The flavor of the month might be an exotic fruit like guanábana (soursop). The lines on weekends may be long, but they're well worth it.
153 Calle Tetuan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Fruity ice pops on a stick
- Long waits on weekends
- Ice cream
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Huge platters of delicious comida criolla are constantly streaming out of the kitchen here. Low prices and a family atmosphere ensure that this longtime local favorite—located near the DoubleTree on the border of Condado and Santurce—is always packed. The extensive menu includes everything from grilled skirt steak to seafood-stuffed mofongo to barbecued ribs. Save room for one of the local desserts, such as flan or tres leches cake. Breakfast is also popular. Note that service, while friendly, can sometimes feel a bit rushed or distracted.
1600 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Large portions
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Breakfast
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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This café is wildly popular and doesn't take reservations, but the offerings are worth the wait. Order the pancakes with Nutella, and the mocha coffee with whipped cream and a rim of Oreos.
29 Calle Júpiter, 00913, Puerto Rico
Known For
- All-day breakfast
- Large portions
- Creative coffee drinks
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Located at the end of Calle Loíza, this family-run restaurant specializes in Roman dishes. The open kitchen turns out dishes like spaghetti carbonara, penne puttanesca, and bucatini all'amatriciana.
1059 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Roman-style dishes
- Italian comfort food
- Carbonara
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A handful of tables spill onto a sidewalk deck adorned with tiny lights at this romantic, bohemian restaurant overlooking Plaza Colón. There's something on the international menu for everyone, including a good selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. It's also popular for breakfast, which is served until 3 pm.
407 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Breakfast
- Variety of vegan and vegetarian choices
- Street-side dining
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Tucked away in the corner of the old Spanish military barracks, Café Don Ruiz serves some of the finest coffee in town. It's sourced from a family-run hacienda in Yauco that's known for its handpicked coffee, grown more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The medium-dark roast is a favorite: well balanced with essences of chocolate, caramel, and citrus. The shop also sells fruit frappés, sandwiches, and crepes.
Calle Norzagaray at Calle Beneficiencia, 00902, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Locally grown coffee
- Light bites
- Historic location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Parmesan-crusted tacos are the draw here, with favorites including the fish, pulled pork, or vegetarian-friendly falafel versions. Pair yours with a margarita or mojito, and sit outside on the small terrace. Breakfast service starts at 8 am, and brunch is offered on weekends.
1104 Av. Magdalena, 00907, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Fish tacos and margaritas
- Prime people-watching from the terrace
- Breakfast and weekend brunch
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This local bakery is always buzzing with locals and tourists. Display cases are full of luscious pastries, including the quesito (cream cheese–filled puff pastry), and sandwiches include the medianoche, made famous when President Obama ordered one while campaigning. For dinner, dive into a fish dish or paella, or do like the locals and make a meal out of savory Spanish tapas.
1966 Calle McLeary, 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Great baked goods, including cream cheese–filled quesitos
- Medianoche sandwiches
- Sometimes curt service
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Families with kids, beachgoers in flip-flops, and businesspeople all flock to this casual, marine-themed restaurant, renowned for its seafood dishes. Grouper tacos, lightly fried and topped with a spicy slaw, are a best seller—don't leave without trying at least one. When in season, opt for the conch salad with tostones or the conch empanadilla, a local version of a turnover. For more substantial fare, order Caribbean spiny lobster, whole fried snapper, or arroz con mariscos, La Cueva's version of a paella. Ask for the homemade hot sauces; they pair wonderfully with the flavorful seafood dishes. Feel free to walk here for lunch, but opt for a cab at night: Calle Loíza is still in its development phase and can be unwelcoming after dark. You'll find other locations throughout San Juan.
1857 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- House-made hot sauce
- Fish tacos
- Conch in season
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It's an exciting time for pizza in San Juan and one of the newest and most delicious additions to the scene is La Santurcina. Brought to you by the owners of the upscale restaurant Vianda, this full-service pizza joint is a pizza-churning, bustling machine that's always packed. Start with the fried olives and wings followed by any of the creative pies. Don't miss the zucchini with ricotta. They don't take reservations so get there early.
1250 Ponce de Leon Ave, San Juan, n/a Puerto Rico, 00907, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Creative pizzas
- Vegetable-forward menu
- Family-friendly vibe
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Across the street from a string of major hotels, this casual restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside it's decorated in warm, tropical colors. The kitchen turns out delicious versions of Cuban and Puerto Rican favorites at reasonable prices. Tasty options include Cornish game hen stuffed with congrí, a mixture of black beans and rice; perfectly seasoned and tender beef churrasco; and fried chickpeas with ham and chorizo. The crowd is a pleasant mix of tourists and locals, families and groups of friends enjoying a relaxed evening out. Throughout the restaurant, local art hangs on the walls, and you can shop from your table if you find a painting you like. The restaurant has several branches around the island, most in the metro area.
Av. Isla Verde, 00913, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Local vibe
- Large portions of typical dishes like churrasco and ropa vieja
- Family-friendly atmosphere
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Proprietor Yareli Manning runs this food-truck park in the heart of Miramar, where seating is at communal picnic tables. Though the roster of vehicles changes, regulars include Meatball Company, Yummy Dumplings, and Pa'l Pita. One truck sells beer and mixed drinks.
1006 Av. Ponce de Leon, 00907, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Variety of quick-bite options
- Outdoor dining
- Family-friendly atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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People pack this playful café—where bustling servers wear cheeky "Eat Me!" T-shirts—to enjoy fresh wraps, sandwiches, salads, batidas (fruit smoothies), and coffee. You might not need another meal for the rest of the day if you finish the Drunken Pilot, a breakfast dish with four eggs, spinach, tomato, onion, mushroom, and goat cheese. At lunch, try the popular Surfer, a hot, pressed sandwich with turkey, mozzarella, basil, tomato, and pesto mayo. It's often nearly impossible to find a seat at lunchtime, but don't worry: order takeout, and head to the beach for an al fresco meal. Pinky's also has a branch on Ashford Avenue in Condado.
1902 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- A variety of batidas
- The Surfer sandwich with turkey, mozzarella, basil, tomato, and pesto mayo
- All-day breakfast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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You can't miss this lively restaurant, thanks to its waitresses in all-white campesina (peasant) dresses. Themed as a country venue, with artsy re-creations of rustic life, it feels a bit Disneyfied, but that doesn't stop the locals and tourists—who may have seen it featured on various TV shows and who are willing to wait more than an hour for a table—from packing in for comida criolla. Signature dishes are the giant deep-fried kan kan pork chop, and mofongo with churrasco (marinated skirt steak). The garlic shrimp mofongo, served country-style in a pilón (pestle), is quite tasty. Drinks, including fruity frappés, come in tin mugs.
315 Calle Recinto Sur, 00901, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Kan kan pork chop and churrasco
- Themed ambience
- Long waits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Chef Raúl Correa's newest venture pays tribute to Israeli and Mediterranean cuisines. Dishes are meant to be shared at this casual neighborhood restaurant that's walking distance from the beach. Labneh, hummus, lamb kebab, homemade pita bread can all be found on this fresh, vegetable-forward menu.
51 Maria Mosco St., 00911, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Popular chef
- Vegan-friendly dishes
- Mediterranean cuisine
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Popular for decades with everyone from local politicians and families to sunburned tourists who just dragged themselves off the beach, the bustling Via Appia is a no-frills restaurant known for serving simple Italian dishes. During lunch, however, they ladle out some delicious comida criolla, with specials changing daily. The outdoor seating area looks out on Condado's busy Avenida Ashford, which makes for good people-watching. The wine bar next door has a bit more ambience.
1350 Av. Ashford, 00907, Puerto Rico
Known For
- Italian food
- Casual, no-frills dining
- Outside terrace overlooking Avenida Ashford